Device for providing support for the installation of vapour barriers

ABSTRACT

A device for providing support for the installation of vapour barriers. The device comprises a main panel and a perpendicular panel. The device attaches onto and between framing members of a building construction and provides support for vapour barriers.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates to construction materials, specifically to improvements in the installation of vapour barriers in stud wall framing. The present invention provides a more efficient and secure method of installing vapour barriers around electrical boxes.

BACKGROUND

In building constructions such as residential stud wall framing, vapour barriers (also known as vapour retarders) are used to prevent the transfer of moisture from inside the building to the insulation within the structure of the building. In warm climates, moisture in the insulation can lead to mould growth, and in cold climates, vapour barriers prevent ingress and subsequent freezing of any moisture in the insulation installed in the stud wall cavities. The use of vapour barriers is mandated by building codes and requirements throughout North America.

Vapour barriers are typically a plastic or foil sheet that is attached to the frame (studs in walls and joists in ceilings of buildings and houses). Vapour barriers must be sealed properly on all sides in order to block out all moisture from entering the wall, floor or ceiling. The most common areas of leakage are around electrical boxes, electrical switches and air vents. To prevent such leakage of moisture, vapour barriers must be installed around these areas and there are commercially available vapour bags that are indented to provide space in walls and ceilings for electrical boxes.

Typically, to install such vapour bags for electrical boxes, a construction worker measures distances between structural frames and cuts a scrap piece of wood to fit perpendicularly between the frames. The piece of wood is then attached, using nails or other methods, between the frames to act as backing to which the vapour barrier can adhere. This process is time consuming and inefficient because there may be multiple electrical boxes and switches on each wall or ceiling.

The need therefore remains for a more accessible and efficient method of attaching vapour barriers around electrical boxes and electrical switches.

Other desirable characters of a vapour barrier backing device are easy installation, low cost, and versatility. Applicant believes there is no invention that provides all of the above-described desirable characteristics and all existing devices have one or more of the above identified limitations. Hence, there is a clear need for such vapour barrier backing device that remedies all of the above limitations.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention is directed to a vapour barrier backing device for providing physical support during the installation of vapour barriers in construction.

In one broad aspect of the invention, a device for providing support for the installation of vapour barriers has a main panel for attaching to framing members and a perpendicular panel for supporting vapour barrier installation.

The discussion above may cover only some of the aspects of the invention. Other and sometimes more particular aspects of the invention will be appreciated by reference to the following description of at least one preferred mode for carrying out the invention in terms of one or more examples. The following mode(s) for carrying out the invention are not a definition of the invention itself but are only example(s) that embody the inventive features of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

At least one mode for carrying out the invention in terms of one or more examples will be described by reference to the drawings thereof in which:

FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of an embodiment of a device for providing support for the installation of vapour barriers in a residential or commercial structure.

FIG. 2 shows a front elevation view of the device in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a top elevation view of the device in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a side elevation view of the device in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows bottom perspective view of an embodiment of a device for providing support for the installation of vapour barriers attached between two framing members.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a device for providing support for the installation of vapour barriers.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, in an embodiment, the device 100 provides support for the installation of vapour barriers and has a main panel 110 and a perpendicular panel 120. In such embodiment, the main panel 110 has a top surface 150, bottom surface 510, two end sections 140 a and 140 b and a middle section 160. The perpendicular panel 120 is attached to the middle section 160 of the main panel 110 such that the perpendicular panel 120 forms a substantially perpendicular angle (e.g., between 80 and 100 degrees) with the top surface 150. The size of the main panel 110 may be any size as long as it is big enough so that the end sections 140 a and 140 b may attach to a framing member. The size of the perpendicular panel 120 may also be any size as long as it provides adequate support for vapour barriers.

In another embodiment of the device 100, the perpendicular panel 120 may be attached to any part of the main panel 110 and the perpendicular panel 120 forms a substantially perpendicular angle with the top surface 150.

In another embodiment of the device 100, the device 100 also has support brackets 130. The support brackets 130 are right-angled triangular shaped and provide support for the perpendicular panel 120. The support brackets 130 are attached on both sides of the perpendicular panel 120. The device 100, including all of its components, may be composed of stiff and supportive material including but not limited to plastic or wood.

In an embodiment of the device 100, the device 100 also has one or more attachment apertures 170 on the main panel 110. The attachment aperture 170 may be any size suitable for allowing a user to easily attach the device 100 onto a frame using common fastener techniques used in building construction, including but not limited to nails, screws or glue. In an embodiment, the device 100 may have a plurality of attachment apertures 170 on both end sections 140 a and 140 b, allowing a user to easily attach the device 100 onto a frame. Having one or attachment apertures 170 at each end section 140 a and 140 b provides greater flexibility and structural security when attaching the device 100 onto a frame. The attachment aperture 170 may be any shape suitable for any common fastener technique used in building constructure and may even be a slit.

With reference to FIG. 5, the device 100 may be used to provide support for the installation of vapour barrier by placing the device 100 between two framing members 520. Framing members 520 are fundamental elements of frame building and may be both studs and/or joists. The device 100 is placed onto the framing members 520 such that the top surface 150 comes in direct contact with the framing members 520 and the perpendicular panel 120 protrudes into the plane of the framing members 520.

An example of an application of the device 100 is that the device 100 may be used to attach a vapour barrier for a light fixture on the ceiling of a building construction. For such installation, the vapour barrier has a middle area that indents and forms a recess is for placing an electrical box. The recess protrudes into the space between framing members 520. The perpendicular panel 130 provides direct support for the vapour barrier by allowing the recess of the vapour barrier to rest on a hard surface. Without the device 100, the recess of the vapour barrier would have no structural support and could be a source of vapour leakage. To install the device 100 and the vapour barrier, the device 100 is attached between two framing members 520 of the ceiling. One or more devices 100 may be attached between the framing members 520 depending on how much support is needed for the vapour barrier. After the device 100 is attached to the framing members 520, the vapour barrier may then be installed over the device 100 such that the perpendicular panel 130 provides structural support for the recess of the vapour barrier.

In an embodiment, the device 100 also has a wire aperture 180 on the perpendicular panel 120. The wire aperture 180 may be any size suitable for wires used in residential or commercial construction including but not limited to HVAC systems, electrical wires and communications wires. For example, in the installation of an electrical box, the wire aperture 180 allows electrical wiring to pass through the device 100 when the device 100 used in the installation of vapour barriers for electrical boxes. In such cases, electrical wires must pass through the vapour barrier and there is a slit or a hole on the vapour barrier. When installed without the device 100, the electrical wires go through the vapour barrier with no additional support, and the slit or hole may get bigger in size over time, leading to additional leakage of vapour. The device 100 further minimizes unnecessary leakage of vapour by providing additional support for electrical wires and preventing the holes in the vapour barrier to get larger over time.

In an embodiment, the device 100 also has a soft inner lining on the top surface 150 and the perpendicular panel 120. At times, the framing members 520 are not perfectly aligned or have uneven surfaces and the soft inner lining provides a flush surface for attachment onto the framing members 520.

In the description above, exemplary modes for carrying out the invention in terms of examples have been described. However, the scope of the claims should not be limited by those examples but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. 

1. A device for providing support for the installation of vapour barriers onto framing members of a building, the device comprising: a main panel; and a perpendicular panel wherein the perpendicular panel is attached to the main panel such that the perpendicular panel forms a substantially perpendicular angle with the main panel and the main panel attaches to framing members of a building and the perpendicular panel protrudes into the framing members to provide additional support for the vapour barriers between the framing members, and the perpendicular panel provides additional support for vapour barriers.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising support brackets.
 3. The device of claim 1, further comprising one or more attachment apertures on the main panel for attaching the device onto the framing members.
 4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a wire aperture in the perpendicular panel.
 5. The device of claim 1, further comprising an inner lining on the top surface of the main panel.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the perpendicular panel is attached to a middle section of the main panel and forms a substantially perpendicular angle with the main panel.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the substantially perpendicular angle comprises an angle between 80 degrees and 100 degrees.
 8. A device for providing support for the installation of vapour barriers onto framing members of a building, the device comprising: a main panel; a perpendicular panel; and support brackets wherein the perpendicular panel is attached to the main panel such that the perpendicular panel forms an angle between 80 degrees and 100 degrees with the main panel, the support brackets provide structural support for the perpendicular panel, the main panel attaches to framing members of a building and the perpendicular panel protrudes into the framing members to provide additional support for the vapour barriers between the framing members, and the perpendicular panel provides additional support for vapour barriers.
 9. The device of claim 8, further comprising one or more attachment apertures on the main panel for attaching the device onto the framing members.
 10. The device of claim 8, further comprising a wire aperture in the perpendicular panel.
 11. The device of claim 8, further comprising an inner lining on the top surface of the main panel.
 12. The device of claim 8, wherein the perpendicular panel is attached to a middle section of the main panel and forms a substantially perpendicular angle with the main panel. 